A German cruise liner was sunk on January 30, 1945 by a Soviet submarine. This ferry, which could only hold 1,800, was taking wartime personnel and refugees to safety, holding more than 10,500 individuals. Over 9,000 people, including 5,000 children, perished during the sinking.

This novel voiced four individuals fleeing from Germany -- Joana, a nurse from Lithuania, Florian, a Prussian solider, and Emilia, a Polish girl close to giving birth, and Albert, a low-ranking Nazi soldier.

This story unfolds in rotating chapters of several characters' perspectives, surrounding the sinking of a German ship during the massive WW2 retreat of civilians and military to avoid advancing Russian forces. Once again, Sepetys covers relatively unheard of aspects of WW2, and in such a way that touches the emotions of the reader and brings the characters to life.

An amazing story about a little-known event of World War II. How often we forget the human cost of war.

Ruta Sepetys has brought another dimension to the horrors of World War II, that of the survivors and victims of the Wilhelm Gustloff. In telling the story of several people, she creates a memorable story of humans, their cruelty and their thirst to survive. Septys is one of the strongest voices in historical fiction for young adults today.

This was heartbreaking and beautiful and thought-provoking and it shattered my soul. Definitely worth the read because the writing is stunning and the story is important, but don't expect a light or easy read.

Ruta Sepetys has been one of my favorite authors since I read Between Shades of Grey! She does an excellent job of finding little known aspects of history and making them real and relatable. Her books are page turners that I would sit and read in one sitting if I didn’t have a toddler at home! And this one is no exception. Guilt is a.....

I wish she’d write more! I suggest her books to anyone who will listen!

Salt to the Sea is a great addition to the historical fiction section in my middle great/YA library. Sepetys covers an event that is not widely known from the WWII time period. So many people were trying to escape by any means, but this disaster ended that escape for thousands of people. Sepetys is excellent at covering the little know parts of history. Definitely recommended!

After reading a lot of historical fiction, it is not often that you find a truly unique perspective of WWII. However, Ruta Sepetys manages to shine a light into a corner of Europe that I have never heard about before - the people trying to leave Prussia near the end of war. I didn't know that Germany tried to evacuate civilians on ships but this story is based on a real ship with real consequences. Here you see 4 unique voices sharing their perspectives, and you start to piece together how their stories are entwined and come to care for these refugees whose lives will never be the same after the devastation of war. I recommend this to anyone interested in history or WWII and is looking for something new or different. I think it should be included in all high school libraries.

I liked another book by Ruta Sepetys, but this one just didn't click for me. So much to the point that I didn't actually finish it. Why not? It felt like a chore to read. I picked it up multiple times and it felt like each time I read less than a few pages before I lost focus. Maybe its just me and the fact that I am in a slight reading slump at the moment, but I couldn't finish it. I think I'll try again when I'm more in the mood for this sort of genre.

Not published as under three stars.

Sorry. Haven't had a chance to read it but I liked her earlier book.

Four points of view of WWII--all on the run for one reason or another. Emila--pregnant trying to get to her beloved. Joana--a nurse trying to get back to her mother. Alfred--a German soldier trying to do as little as possible. Florian--trying to reverse his legacy of wartime deeds. All of these characters are young and just trying to survive the war. They end up together on the Wilhelm Gustloff--a ship that will evacuate them away from the war. This story is based on the true tragedy of this ship, torpedoed, killing over 9000 people. I loved the differing points view.

Phenomenal book! Loved everything about it--masterfully crafted characters, compelling story about a little known piece of history, a gut-wrenching emotional ride with strings of hope throughout.

This isn't the type of book I normally read but I'm glad that I got the chance to read this one. The plot was beyond captivating and the writing was just gorgeous!

Oh. My.

This was brilliant, and horrific, and amazing, and haunting.

All I knew going in was that it was about WWII, and was intrigued that for once it had nothing to do with the Holocaust perspective. But I was not at all prepared for what was in store.

I hate to say too much, for it is an experience that should not be spoiled, so that it will hit the reader right in the feels as it did me. But I will say that telling the story with each chapter changing perspective between four very different characters (who, of course, all end up at the main plot location eventually) was just absolutely brilliantly done.

I fell in love with all of these characters (except one...obviously...god, what an ass!) and my heart and soul was with them to the bitter end. Tears were shed, my heart was broken multiple times, and the true horrors of war were well portrayed.

This was a little hard for me to get into at first with the switching perspectives but once I got used to the format the story was engrossing and moving. Historical Fiction is not always my thing but I enjoyed this very much. Ordering for the library today :)

Rutya Sepetys is determined to make me cry with every book.

A historical fiction book set at the end of WWII in Germany. Thousands of refugees in East Prussia are on foot seeking freedom, including our protagonists in this book.

Florian, who works for the Nazi’s looting famous artworks is on the run with a secret piece he has stolen, and is thwarted in his attempt of traveling alone when he encounters Emilia, a pregnant Polish teen in need of help.

The two meet up with a group they wind up joining, beautiful young Lithuanian nurse Lina, an older woman named Lina, a poet shoemaker and a young orphan.

They group will face hardship and death as they try to find passage on a ship that will bring them to safety.

Devastating.

First rate historical fiction. While this is written for Young Adults it is enjoyable for adults also.
This story is inspired bym "the single greatest tragedy in maritime history." This reader assumes that it is little known because it took place in 1944 during WWII. The ship was carrying mostly German women and children who were fleeing to safety from the advancing Russian troops. The ship was torpedoed by a Soviet sub. Since the Germans were our enemies and the Soviets were our allies this reader believes that is perhaps behind the lack of publicity that this tragedy received in the U.S.
This fictional account follows the lives of four people fleeing the Russian advance. One is a young German citizen disillusioned with the Nazi policies and carrying a secret. One is a 15-year-old pregnant girl. One is a young woman with some medical training leading a group that includes an old shoemaker and a young boy who he has taken under his wing. All of them overcome great odds to make it on board the ship that they expect to carry them to safety.

I love when authors (especially YA authors) tackle historical events-especially when I don't already know much about the topic, like in Salt to the Sea. I loved Septys other 2 books and looked forward to reading more from this author. The pacing and 4 main characters keeps the reader engaged and wanting to keep reading.